Fluid power control apparatus

Abstract

A fluid power control apparatus comprising a plurality of standardized multiple-function modules adapted to be selectively programmed in various arrays to effect substantially any required hydraulic valve and system function.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fluid power control apparatus fabricated from a plurality of standardized components selectively adaptable to perform a plurality of valving functions, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a power flow valve module including a standard first power flow interface, a standard second power flow interface, and a standard signal flow interface; four standard duct-forming power flow passages extending between said first and second power flow interfaces and communicating with said signal flow interface; a shiftable power flow element mounted in the power flow valve module and including first and second end surfaces; two standard duct-forming signal flow passages extending between said two power flow interfaces and said signal flow interface and communicating with said end surfaces; a standard signal flow module including a standard first signal flow interface, a standard second signal flow interface, six standard primary signal flow passages, and six standard secondary signal flow passages; and a standard adapter module including a standard first adapter interface that registers with said signal flow interface on the power flow module, and a standard second adapter interface that registers with said signal flow interfaces on the signal flow module. 
     
     
       2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said power flow valve module includes a standard sleeve, and wherein said shiftable power flow element is mounted in the sleeve; a longitudinally extending guide at each end of the sleeve; and a spring adapter in said guide and including a shoulder biased in one direction by a control spring. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said sleeve can be selectively adapted to bridge power flow ducts extending between said first and second power flow interfaces. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus defined in claim 1 that includes two removeable spacer elements that are selectively positionable at ends of the shiftable power flow element whereby the power flow element is selectively positionable for either normally open or normally closed operation. 
     
     
       5. A fluid power control apparatus fabricated from a plurality of standardized modules selectively adaptable to perform a plurality of valving functions, said control apparatus comprising a standard power flow valve module including oppositely facing first and second standard power flow interfaces adapted to register with conforming standard power flow interfaces of subsequent standard power flow valve modules assembled in series relationship therewith, said power flow module including a standard signal flow interface; four standard duct-forming power flow passages extending between said power flow interfaces; a shiftable power flow element mounted in the power flow module for controlling flow between said power flow passages, said power flow element including first and second end surfaces, two standard duct-forming signal flow passages each of which extends between said power flow interfaces and said signal flow interface and communicates with a respective end surface of the power flow element; a signal flow module mounted on said power flow valve module and including at least one standard signal flow interface of the power flow valve module whereby the signal flow module receives fluid signal from said power flow ducts and delivers fluid signals to said signal flow passages and end surfaces. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein said signal flow module includes oppositely facing switching module interfaces for stacking adjacent signal flow modules and wherein the power flow valve module includes at least six standard signal flow passages on the next adjacent signal flow module. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein said signal flow module includes oppositely facing switching module interfaces for stacking adjacent signal flow modules and wherein the power flow valve module includes six standard primary signal flow passages that register with six standard signal flow passages on the next adjacent signal flow module; and six standard secondary signal flow passages that register with six standard secondary signal flow passages on said next adjacent signal flow module. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said signal flow module includes programable passages for selectively interconnecting said primary and secondary signal flow passages. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein said signal flow module includes oppositely facing switching module interfaces for stacking adjacent signal flow modules and wherein the power flow valve module includes four standard power flow passages for delivering and draining fluid in series flow between a plurality of the power flow valve modules, wherein the power flow valve module includes six standard primary signal flow passages that register with six standard signal flow passages on the next adjacent signal flow module; and six standard secondary signal flow passages that register with six standard secondary signal flow passages on said next adjacent signal flow module. 
     
     
       10. In a fluid power apparatus, the combination of a plurality of standardized power flow valve modules each of which includes two oppositely facing standard power flow interfaces and four power flow passages each of which passages extends between said two interfaces, said plurality of modules being serially joined at said power flow interfaces with said power flow passages forming successive extensions of four power paths; a standardized signal flow interface on each of said power flow valve modules; a shiftable power flow element mounted in the power flow module for controlling flow between said power flow passages, said power flow element including first and second end surfaces; two standard duct forming signal flow passages each of which extends between said power flow surfaces and said signal flow interface and communicates with a respective end surface of the power flow element; a plurality of signal flow modules each of which includes oppositely facing switching module interfaces for stacking adjacent signal flow modules, each power flow valve module including at least six standard signal flow passages that register respectively with six standard signal flow passages on the next adjacent signal flow module. 
     
     
       11. In a fluid power control apparatus, the combination of a plurality of standardized power flow valve modules each of which includes two oppositely facing standard power flow interfaces and four power flow passages each of which passages extends between said two interfaces, said plurality of modules being serially joined at said power flow interfaces with said power flow passages forming successive extensions of four power paths; a standardized signal flow interface on each of said power flow valve modules; a shiftable power flow element mounted in the power flow module for controlling flow between said power flow passages, said power flow element including first and second end surfaces; two standard duct forming signal flow passages each of which extends between said power flow surfaces and said signal flow interface and communicates with a respective end surface of the power flow element; a plurality of signal flow modules each of which includes oppositely facing switching module interfaces for stacking adjacent signal flow modules, each power flow valve module including at least six standard primary signal flow passages that register respectively with six standard signal flow passages on the next adjacent signal flow module; and six standard secondary signal flow passages that register respectively with six standard secondary signal flow passages on the next adjacent signal flow module. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus defined in claim 11 wherein said signal flow module includes programable passages for selectively interconnecting said primary and secondary signal flow passages. 
     
     
       13. A fluid power flow apparatus fabricated from a plurality of standardized modules selectively adaptable to perform a plurality of valving functions, said control apparatus comprising a standard power flow valve module including a standard signal flow interface and oppositely facing first and second standard power flow interfaces of subsequent standard power flow valve modules assembled in series relationship therewith; four standard duct-forming power flow passages extending between said power flow interfaces; a shiftable power flow element mounted in the power flow module for controlling flow between said power flow passages, said power flow element including first and second end surfaces, two standard duct-forming signal flow passages each of which extends between said power flow interfaces and said signal flow interface and communicates with a respective end surface of the power flow element; an adapter module mounted on said power flow valve module and including opposite facing standard adapter interfaces that register with said signal flow interface and selectively programable adapter passages that extend between said adapter interfaces; a signal flow switching module mounted on the adapter module and including standard oppositely facing switching module interfaces that register with said adapter interfaces; a plurality of signal flow passages in the adapter module; a plurality of signal flow passages in the switching module that are serially arranged with said signal flow passages in the adapter modules for delivering pressurized fluid signals to said power flow valve module. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus defined in claim 13 wherein said signal flow module includes oppositely facing switching module interfaces for stacking adjacent signal flow modules and wherein the power flow valve module includes at least six standard signal flow passages that register with six standard signal flow passages on the next adjacent signal flow module. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus defined in claim 13 wherein said signal flow module includes oppositely facing switching module interfaces for stacking adjacent signal flow modules and wherein the power valve module includes six standard primary signal flow passages that register with six standard signal flow passages on the next adjacent signal flow module; and six standard secondary signal flow passages that register with six standard secondary signal flow passages on said next adjacent signal flow module. 
     
     
       16. The control apparatus defined in claim 13 wherein said power flow valve module includes a plurality of spool spacer elements removeably mounted at ends of the power spool for the selective programming of the valving function of the apparatus. 
     
     
       17. The control apparatus defined in claim 13 wherein said adapter module includes a plurality of standard removeable passage plugs in said signal flow passages for selectively programming the paths of the pressurized fluid signals delivered to the flow valve module. 
     
     
       18. In a fluid power apparatus, the combination of a plurality of standardized power flow valve modules each of which includes two oppositely facing standard power flow interfaces and four power flow passages each of which passages extends between said two interfaces, said plurality of modules being serially joined at said power flow interfaces with said power flow passages forming successive extensions of four power flow paths; a standardized signal flow interface on each of said power flow valve modules; four standard duct-forming power flow passages extending between said power flow interfaces; a shiftable power flow element mounted in the power flow module for controlling flow between said power flow passages, said power flow element including first and second end surfaces, two standard duct-forming signal flow passages each of which extends between said power flow interfaces and said signal flow interface and communicates with a respective end surface of the power flow element; an adapter module mounted on each of said power flow valve modules and including oppositely facing standard adapter interfaces that register with said signal flow interface and selectively programable adapter passages that extend between said adapter interfaces; a signal flow switching module mounted on each of said adapter modules and including standardized oppositely facing switching module interfaces that register with said adapter interfaces and a next adjacent signal flow module; a plurality of signal flow passages in each adapter module which passages are serially arranged with signal flow passages in a respective power flow valve module; and a plurality of signal flow passages in each switching module which passages are serially arranged with said signal flow passages in a respective adapter module for delivering pressurized fluid signals to a respective power flow valve module. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus defined in claim 18 wherein the power flow valve module includes at least six standard signal flow passages that register with six standard signal flow passages on the next adjacent signal flow module. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus defined in claim 18 wherein the power valve module includes six standard primary signal flow passages that register with six standard signal flow passages on the next adjacent signal flow module; and six standard secondary signal flow passages that register with six standard secondary signal flow passages on said next adjacent signal flow module. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus defined in claim 20 wherein said signal flow module includes programable passages for selectively interconnecting said primary and secondary signal flow passages. 
     
     
       22. The control apparatus defined in claim 18 wherein each power flow valve module includes a plurality of spool spacer elements removeably mounted at ends of the power spool for the selective programming of the valving function of the apparatus. 
     
     
       23. The control apparatus defined in claim 18 wherein each adapter module includes a plurality of standard removeable passage plugs in said signal flow passages for selectively programming the paths of the pressurized fluid signals delivered to the flow valve module.